CountyScore

Alachua County

Florida · FL

#48 in Florida
61.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Alachua County, Florida

Alachua Outpaces National Average

With a composite score of 64.8, Alachua County ranks in the 30th percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. This puts the county solidly in the better-than-average category for overall livability across the United States.

Below Florida's Standard

Alachua's 64.8 score falls slightly below Florida's state average of 69.4, ranking it in the middle tier among the state's 67 counties. The county trails comparable peers but remains competitive on a national scale.

Tax Efficiency Stands Out

Alachua excels in tax burden with a score of 74.6 and an effective tax rate of just 0.983%, making it attractive for tax-conscious residents. Housing affordability is also solid with a cost score of 68.0, offering median home values of $266,800.

Income Levels Need Growth

The county's income score of 22.3 reflects a median household income of $59,659, notably below state and comparable county benchmarks. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and water quality prevents a fuller livability picture at this time.

Best for Budget-Minded Families

Alachua suits families and individuals prioritizing low taxes and moderate housing costs over maximum earning potential. The county offers solid national-level livability with room to strengthen income opportunities and service quality.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax74.6Cost68SafetyComing SoonHealth71SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.3Risk9.7WaterComing Soon
🏛74.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠68
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡9.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Alachua County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lake County
Florida
61.7
Median income: $69,956
Cobb County
Georgia
61.7
Median income: $98,712
Herkimer County
New York
61.7
Median income: $68,858
Lorain County
Ohio
61.7
Median income: $70,693
Erie County
Pennsylvania
61.7
Median income: $61,476

Deep Dives

Alachua County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Alachua County

via TaxByCounty

Alachua taxes run high nationally

Alachua's effective tax rate of 0.983% exceeds the national median of 0.73%, placing the county in roughly the 70th percentile nationally. The median property tax here is $2,623, nearly matching the national median of $2,690, despite a lower median home value of $266,800 versus $281,900 nationwide.

Among Florida's pricier tax counties

Alachua ranks among the higher-tax counties in Florida, with an effective rate of 0.983% well above the state average of 0.731%. The county's median tax of $2,623 exceeds the state average of $1,885 by $738 annually.

Alachua outpaces nearby counties

Alachua's 0.983% rate significantly exceeds neighboring Bradford County at 0.567% and Bay County at 0.597%. Only Broward County, a major metropolitan area, taxes higher at 0.949%, making Alachua one of Florida's steepest tax burdens.

Your annual tax bill in Alachua

On a median-valued home of $266,800, Alachua homeowners pay roughly $2,623 annually in property taxes. With mortgage-related fees included, that bill rises to approximately $2,821 per year.

Challenge your assessment today

Thousands of Alachua homeowners are overassessed, paying more than their property warrants. Filing an informal appeal with the Property Appraiser's office costs nothing and could reduce your tax burden significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Alachua County

via CostByCounty

Alachua rents strain budgets above average

Renters in Alachua County spend 25.2% of their income on housing, a point above the national norm. That's roughly $1,255 monthly against a median household income of $59,659—nearly $15,000 less than the typical U.S. household earns.

Housing costs rank midfield in Florida

Alachua's rent-to-income ratio of 25.2% exceeds Florida's 22.5% state average, placing it in the costlier half of the state's 67 counties. The median rent of $1,255 also edges slightly above the statewide median of $1,233.

Pricier than rural neighbors to the north

Alachua's $1,255 rent significantly outpaces Bradford County ($838) and Calhoun County ($680) in the region. But Bay County to the west is even steeper at $1,424, making Alachua a middle ground for North Central Florida renters.

Renters pay more than homeowners here

Alachua renters face a 25.2% housing burden while homeowners spend 23.0% of income on mortgage costs. The median home value of $266,800 and median monthly ownership cost of $1,144 reflect a more manageable path for those with down payment savings.

College town charm with affordability trade-offs

Alachua offers a vibrant Gainesville-anchored community but demands higher rent-to-income ratios than rural neighbors. If housing affordability is your priority, nearby Bradford or Baker counties deliver similar amenities at 17% housing cost burden.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Alachua County

via IncomeByCounty

Alachua lags behind national earnings

Alachua County's median household income of $59,659 falls $15,096 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom third nationally. The gap reflects a county economy that hasn't kept pace with national wage growth, though the presence of the University of Florida adds high-earning potential in education and research sectors.

Below average among Florida counties

At $59,659, Alachua's median household income trails Florida's state average of $65,468 by nearly $6,000. This positions the county in the lower-middle tier of Florida's 67 counties, indicating income challenges despite the presence of a major research university.

Stronger earnings in surrounding areas

Neighboring Baker County ($70,833) and Bradford County ($59,740) show mixed results—Baker significantly outearns Alachua, while Bradford performs nearly identically. Alachua's university economy creates pockets of wealth but hasn't lifted median household earnings to match nearby counties with diverse industrial bases.

Rent consumes a quarter of income

With a rent-to-income ratio of 25.2%, Alachua households spend roughly one-quarter of earnings on housing—above the sustainable 20-25% threshold. Though median home values ($266,800) remain moderate compared to state benchmarks, the mismatch between local wages and housing costs pressures household budgets.

Build wealth through education earnings

Alachua's university presence creates pathways to higher-earning careers in STEM, healthcare, and research—fields that can double or triple median household income. Starting early with retirement accounts and employer 401(k) matching can help households overcome the current income gap and build long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Alachua County

via HealthByCounty

Alachua outlives the nation

At 77.7 years, Alachua County residents live nearly 2 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Only 17.6% report poor or fair health, well below the national rate of 21%, signaling stronger overall health outcomes than most Americans experience.

Florida's healthiest county

Alachua leads Florida with a life expectancy of 77.7 years—nearly 2 years ahead of the state average of 75.8 years. The county's 17.6% poor/fair health rate ranks among the lowest in Florida, reflecting sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure and prevention.

A bright spot in North Florida

Alachua's 77.7-year life expectancy significantly outpaces neighboring Bradford County (74.1 years) and Baker County (73.5 years). With 155 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Alachua has roughly 4 times the provider density of Bradford County, giving residents vastly better access to routine care.

Access meets affordability in Alachua

Only 10.2% of Alachua residents lack health insurance—3 percentage points below the state average—while the county boasts 695 mental health providers per 100,000, the highest in the region. This combination of coverage and specialist availability means residents can seek preventive and behavioral health care without the barriers facing neighbors in less-resourced counties.

Keep Alachua's advantage going

Even with 10.2% uninsured, nearly 1 in 10 Alachua residents still lack coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or Florida's Health Insurance Marketplace to explore options—preventive care now prevents costly emergencies later and keeps your county's health trajectory strong.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Alachua County

via RiskByCounty

Alachua's composite risk sits above average

With a composite risk score of 90.33, Alachua County faces significantly higher natural disaster risk than the U.S. average of around 50. This "Relatively Moderate" rating reflects Florida's exposure to coastal and tropical hazards that most inland states don't encounter.

Moderate risk ranks mid-range for Florida

Alachua's score of 90.33 exceeds Florida's state average of 75.74, placing it in the upper half of the state's 67 counties. The county faces above-average exposure compared to most of its peers, though several coastal counties rank even higher.

Riskier than inland neighbors, safer than coast

Alachua's risk level (90.33) significantly exceeds neighboring Bradford County (36.86), reflecting its exposure to tropical systems. However, it ranks well below the extreme risks of nearby coastal regions like Brevard (98.41) and Broward (99.46) counties.

Hurricanes and wildfires dominate the threat

Hurricane risk scores highest at 96.70, followed closely by wildfire risk at 95.17—both among Florida's most significant hazards. Tornado risk (90.33) rounds out the trio, making severe weather preparedness essential for Alachua residents year-round.

Secure comprehensive coverage for all threats

Alachua residents should prioritize homeowners insurance that covers wind and flood damage, as hurricanes pose extreme risk (96.70). Consider supplemental wildfire coverage if your property is near forested areas, and verify your policy includes tornado-related damage.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.